Grain bin safety device

ABSTRACT

A safety device for a grain bin having four vertically disposed members being held together by a plurality of horizontally disposed X-shaped braces spaced along the length of the vertically disposed members. The bottom of the safety device sets in the middle of the floor of a grain bin and is further supported by four chains respectively connected adjacent the top of each vertically disposed member and attached at the other end thereof to a portion of the roof of the grain bin to thereby at least partially support the safety device and to prevent the safety device from tipping over. Ladder rungs are further connected at the ends thereof to two of the chains to form a ladder leading to an opening in the top of the grain bin.

United States Patent [191 Steffen GRAIN BIN SAFETY DEVICE [76] lnventor:Vincent B. Steffen, 321 E. Hamilton,

New Hampton, Iowa 50659 22 Filed: July 19, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 490,116

[ Sept. 23, 1975 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Henderson & Strorn [57] ABSTRACT A safety device for a grain binhaving four vertically disposed members being held together by aplurality of horizontally disposed X-sha'ped braces spaced along thelength of the vertically disposed members. The bottom of the safetydevice sets in the middle of the floor of a grain bin and is furthersupported by four chains respectively connected adjacent the top of eachvertically disposed member and attached at the other end thereof to aportion of the roof of the grain bin to thereby at least partiallysupport the safety device and to prevent the safety device from tippingover. Ladder rungs are further connected at the ends thereof to two ofthe chains to form a ladder leading to an opening in the top of thegrain bin.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures GRAIN BIN SAFETY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Persons have been suffocating in grain bins at an alarmingrate by being pulled under shifting grain in the grain bins. There aretwo principle situations wherein this type of accident occurs. One hasbeen in the situation wherein a person is standing on the grain in thebin while the bin is being unloaded. Since the grain moving to thebottom through the outlet opening tends to move quickly from the toplayers of grain to the bottom, anyone standing on this moving grain canbe completely covered with grain in a matter of seconds. The secondsituation has been the situation wherein the grain in the bin has becomebridged, which merely means that a pocket of air was formed in thegrain, for example when frozen or crusted grain remains in place as somegrain has been removed from the bin. The weight of a person stepping onor over such a pocket is usually enough to break loose the top of thebridge thereby causing the person to drop into the formerly air filledpocket, which then quickly fills with grain around the person because ofthe flow of grain started by ,the weight of the person.

Because of these types of situations, there has been a concerted effortto educate persons who might be around grain bins about this greatdanger. The accidents still continue to happen, however. Many of theseaccidents involve children who never received or didnt heed the warning.Because the education solution to the problem has not solved itcompletely, safety equipment has been developed to hopefully completelysolve this grave problem. For example, US. Pat. No. 3,638,313 1illustrates safety devices which tend to catch persons accidentallymoving towards the bottom of a bin in flowing grain, and to providesomething for a person to grasp to prevent the person from beingsuffocated. While the safety device of US. Pat. No. 3,638,331 isbelieved to be one of the best safety devices of its type heretoforedevised, any improvements discovered in this regard are significant ifit means that the improvement will more certainly provide a higherdegree safety and provide a better means of escape in a grain binaccident of the type described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a safetydevice for a grain bin. The safety device is disposed in the center of agrain bin from a point on or near the bottom of the bin, to a point atleast above the level of the grain in the bin, and/or over a grainoutlet opening to prevent a person standing on top of the grain in thebin from being pulled under and into the grain due to bridged grain ordue to shifting of grain during a grain bin unloading process.

An object of the present invention is to provide maximum safety for aperson standing or walking on top of the grain in a grain bin or othergrain containing container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grain bin safetydevice which is simple and economical to manufacture and install, butwhich is nevertheless extremely dependable.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of agrain bin partially cut away to show a perspective view of the safetydevice of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the present invention showing themanner in which the joints are formed in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingparts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a safety device 10disposed inside of a grain bin 11.

A plurality of upstanding vertical members 12 form four corners for thesafety device 10. X-shaped crossbraces 13 are connected by nut and boltdevices 14 to the vertical members 12. The X-shaped braces are actuallyformed by two substantially straight tubular members which areconnected. centrally thereof by nut and bolt devices 15.

The vertical members 12 are shown as being formed of tubing withflattened ends 16 thereon, while the X- shaped braces 13 have flattenedcurved ends 17 thereon which mate with the ends 16 of the verticalmembers 12, as best shown in FIG. 3. This construction is not critical,however, and the framework of the safety device 10 may be formed inother ways and still be within the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is noted that the grain bin 11 has an inlet opening 18 at the topthereof and an outlet opening 19 in the bottom of the floor 20.Extendling under the floor 20 is an outlet tube 21, which leads to theoutside of the bin 11 through the sidewall thereof. Within tube 21 isnormally disposed a power auger (not shown) for emptying the grain fromthe bin 11. The safety device 10 is disposed directly above the centraloutlet opening 19 for the reason that this is the point at which thereis the greatest danger of a person inside of the bin being covered bygrain. The reason for this greater danger is because most bridging ofgrain occurs in the center of the bin under the inlet opening 18. Also,when grain is being taken from the bin 11 through the outlet opening 19and the tube 21, the grain in the bin tends to funnel centrally into theopening 19, thereby first taking out the grain in the general area ofthe safety device 10. Consequently, gravity generally causes the grainon top as well as anything else on top of the grain, such as a person,to flow down into this central area. There is a very strong tendency topull anything in the bin to the axial center of the bin directly overthe outlet opening 19. Consequently, the safety device 10 is very likelyto catch a person involuntarily traversing this path and holding suchperson above the bulk of the grain. Additionally the vertical andX-shaped horizontal braces provide a person involved in such an accidentvery good access for grasping the safety device 10 and pro viding ameans of escape from the flowing grain. The fact that the horizontalbraces cross at the respective centers thereof and extend directly overthe center of the outlet opening or center of the bin, is a definiteimprovement over the brace structure 41 of US. Pat. No.

3,638,331. This is true because theoretically aperson could be pulleddown through the center of the square shown in FIG. 6 of that patentwithout being stopped by the horizontal braces. Additionally, the sideaccess for grasping is better when using X-shaped braces 13 as in theinstant invention. In short, while the safety device including braces 41of US. Pat. No. 3,638,331 is very good and safe, the safety device 10 ofthe present invention is better and safer.

Preferably the safety device 10 is supported from the roof 22 of thegrain bin 11 by lines or chains 23, in addition to being supported atthe bottom thereof on the floor 20. This construction prevents thesafety device 10 from tipping over. This connection of chains 23 to theroof 22 may be effected as shown in FIG. 9 of US. Pat. No. 3,638.33 1.The connection of chains 23 to the safety device 10 is shown in FIG. 3by loop devices 24, having a threaded nut 25 on the underside thereof,not ing that the manner of making these connections are not criticalexcept to the extent of being certain that they are securely fastened.

A plurality of ladder rungs 26 are connected to two of the supportingchains 23 for facilitating an easy escape to route to the top opening 18for a person inside of the bin 11. More rungs 26 may be connected toother of the chains 23 if desired.

It can therefore be seen that a lifesaving safety device has beendisclosed which accomplishes all of the objects set forth above.Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. A safety device for a grain bin comprising:

four vertical members having top and bottom ends;

a first horizontally disposed substantially X-shaped brace having theends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said vertical membersnear the top thereof;

a second horizontally disposed substantially X- shaped brace having theends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said vertical membersnear the bottom thereof;

a third horizontally disposed substantially X-shaped brace having theends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said vertical membersintermediate the top and bottom thereof;

each respective one of said first, second and third X- shaped braceslying substantially in one plane;

a continuous vertical completely open space being formed betweenadjacent vertical members from the top to the bottom thereof to allowunimpeded access to the X-shaped members; and

means for affixing said safety device within a grain bin.

2. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 1 wherein saidaffixing means includes means for attaching said safety device to agrain bin roof.

3. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 2 wherein saidmeans for attaching the safety device to a grain bin roof includes ameans for suspending the safety device to the roof.

4. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 3 wherein saidsuspending means includes four chains, each chain being attached at oneend to the bin roof and the other end thereof at a point on the safetydevice adjacent the ends of the top-most horizontal X- shaped brace.

5. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 4 wherein aplurality of horizontally disposed rungs are attached to two of saidchains to form a ladder means leading to a bin opening.

6. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 1 wherein thehorizontal X-shaped brace is disposed adjacent the. top of said verticalmembers and at least one additional horizontally disposed substantiallyX- shaped brace is connected at the ends thereof to respective ones ofsaid vertical members at a point intermediate the top and bottom of thevertical members.

7. A safety device as defined in claim 6 wherein a substantiallyX-shaped brace is connected to said vertical members at the bottomthereof.

8. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 1 wherein thelongitudinal center of the safety device corresponds to the axial centerof the grain bin.

9. A safety device as defined in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal centerof said safety device is directly above an outlet opening in the grainbin.

10. A safety device for a grain bin comprising:

four vertical members;

at least one horizontally disposed substantially X- shaped brace havingthe ends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said verticalmembers; and

means for affixing said safety device within a grain bin, said affixingmeans including means for attaching said safety device to a grain binroof, said means for attaching the safety device to a grain bin roofincludes a means for suspending the safety device to the roof, saidsuspending means includes four chains, each chain being attached at oneend to the bin roof and the other end thereof at a point on the safetydevice adjacent the ends of the topmost horizontal X-shaped brace, andwherein a plurality of horizontally disposed rungs are attached to twoof said chains to form a ladder means leading to a bin opening.

1. A safety device for a grain bin comprising: four vertical membershaving top and bottom ends; a first horizontally disposed substantiallyX-shaped brace having the ends thereof rigidly affixed to respectiveones of said vertical members near the top thereof; a secondhorizontally disposed substantially X-shaped brace having the endsthereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said vertical members nearthe bottom thereof; a third horizontally disposed substantially X-shapedbrace having the ends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of saidvertical members intermediate the top and bottom thereof; eachrespective one of said first, second and third X-shaped braces lyingsubstantially in one plane; a continuous vertical completely open spacebeing formed between adjacent vertical members from the top to thebottom thereof to allow unimpeded access to the X-shaped members; andmeans for affixing said safety device within a grain bin.
 2. A safetydevice for a grain bin as defined in claim 1 wherein said affixing meansincludes means for attaching said safety device to a grain bin roof. 3.A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim 2 wherein said meansfor attaching the safety device to a grain bin roof includes a means forsuspending the safety device to the roof.
 4. A safety device for a grainbin as defined in claim 3 wherein said suspending means includes fourchains, each chain being attached at one end to the bin roof and theother end thereof at a point on the safety device adjacent the ends ofthe top-most horizontal X-shaped brace.
 5. A safety device for a grainbin as defined in claim 4 wherein a plurality of horizontally disposedrungs are attached to two of said chains to form a ladder means leadingto a bin opening.
 6. A safety device for a grain bin as defined in claim1 wherein the horizontal X-shaped brace is disposed adjacent the top ofsaid vertical members and at least one additional horizontally disposedsubstantially X-shaped brace is connected at the ends thereof torespective ones of said vertical members at a point intermediate the topand bottom of the vertical members.
 7. A safety device as defined inclaim 6 wherein a substantially X-shaped brace is connected to saidvertical members at the bottom thereof.
 8. A safety device for a grainbin as defined in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal center of thE safetydevice corresponds to the axial center of the grain bin.
 9. A safetydevice as defined in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal center of saidsafety device is directly above an outlet opening in the grain bin. 10.A safety device for a grain bin comprising: four vertical members; atleast one horizontally disposed substantially X-shaped brace having theends thereof rigidly affixed to respective ones of said verticalmembers; and means for affixing said safety device within a grain bin,said affixing means including means for attaching said safety device toa grain bin roof, said means for attaching the safety device to a grainbin roof includes a means for suspending the safety device to the roof,said suspending means includes four chains, each chain being attached atone end to the bin roof and the other end thereof at a point on thesafety device adjacent the ends of the top-most horizontal X-shapedbrace, and wherein a plurality of horizontally disposed rungs areattached to two of said chains to form a ladder means leading to a binopening.